Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

경주 동궁과 월지 · Gyeongbuk · Palaces & heritage

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are secondary palace sites of Silla. The palace, along with other secondary palaces, was used as the eastern palace where the prince lived, and banquets were held during auspicious events or to welcome important guests. It is also where King Gyeongsun of Silla invited King Wang Geon of Goryeo and had a feast to complain about the critical situation in 931 after being invaded by Gyeon Hwon. After unifying the three kingdoms, Silla's King Munmu dug a large pond in the 14th year of his reign (674), creating three islands in the center of the pond along with a 12-peaked mountain to the northeast. Beautiful flowers and trees were planted here, and rare birds and animals were raised. In the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) from the Goryeo dynasty, there is only a record of Imhaejeon Hall and no mention of Anapji Pond. After Silla fell and the place fell into ruins during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, poets and calligraphers looked at the pond and recited a line of poetry that says, “The once splendid palace is gone, and only geese and ducks fly in.” That's why the place is called Anapji, using the letters 'an' for wild geese and 'ab' for ducks. In the 1980s, pottery fragments with the inscription "Wolji" were excavated, and it was confirmed that this area was originally called "Wolji," which means "a pond that reflects the moon." And the name Anapji was changed to Wolji Pond afterwards.◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "The Beauty Inside"Se-gye visits this place to refresh her mind after she argues with Do-jae over the contract. Being one of the most famous tourist sites in Gyeongju, the scenery here is enough to help you forget the argument that you’ve just had, especially at night.

Getting there

From Korea Tourism Organization open data. Opening hours and admission can change — check the official page before you go.

On nearby while you're here

Events run on fixed dates — check these against your own trip. Trip Planner shows everything on for the days you are in Korea.

• Jun 12, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026Sarira Reliquary from the Hwangnyongsa Wooden Pagoda · 700 m walk
• Jun 12, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026Hwangnyongsa: Enshrining the Buddha's Relics · 700 m walk
• Sep 18, 2026 – Sep 20, 2026Gyeongju Heritage Night Walk · 900 m walk
• Sep 19, 2026Gyeongju Golden Carnival · 1.6 km away

Within walking distance

400 m walk

Gyeongju Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress) (경주 월성(반월성))

900 m walk

Cheomseongdae Observatory

1.5 km away

Gyeongju Historic Area [UNESCO World Heritage]

1.6 km away

Gyeongju Ssambap Street

1.7 km away

Gyeongju Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex

1.7 km away

Cheonmachong Tomb (Daereungwon Ancient Tombs) (천마총(대릉원))

1.7 km away

Gyeongju Hwangnidan Street

1.7 km away

Gyeongju Hanbokpan